June 10-16, 2002: Hamid Karzai is elected head of Afghanistan's Transitional Authority by the emergency loya jirga, or grand council.

The loya jirga, a centuries-old political institution made up of representatives of Afghan society, convenes in Kabul to restore the Afghan government. For the first time in Afghan history, women are allowed to participate. It is decided that free and fair elections will be held within two years.

NPR reports on the end of Afghanistan's loya jirga, or grand assembly. Hamid Karzai, the country's new president, presented the members of his new Cabinet, which won approval from the delegates in a show of hands.